Crusader Jerusalem

In 1099 the crusaders took over the Muslim city more or less intact. The outer walls were later repaired and the citadel in the Tower of David strengthened. The need was for colonists. At first, the crusaders only occupied a single quarter around the Holy Sepulchre, the Muslims and the Jews having been either massacred or expelled. A partial solution was the settlement in 1116 of Christian Syrians from Transjordan, probably in the old Jewish quarter. Repopulation accelerated with the organization of the pilgrim trade. This was largely the work of the Hospital and the Temple, which took over the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa mosque. There was much rebuilding. Notable were the enlargement of the church of the Holy Sepulchre, rededicated in 1149, and the construction of the church of St Anne (1140). The covered market was partially reconstructed in 1152. The Muslims were much impressed by the city which fell to them in 1187. The city briefly returned to the crusaders from 1229-44.

M. Angold

Crusader Acre

Acre was captured by the crusaders with Genoese help in 1104. It developed into the major port of the kingdom of Jerusalem. Though the Italians enjoyed concessions it remained within the royal demesne. It fell to Saladin in 1187. Its recovery in 1191 was the main achievement of the third crusade. Its single line of walls was now strengthened with a moat and an outer wall, incorporating the rapidly developing suburb of Mont Musard. Nominally the capital of the restored kingdom of Jerusalem, Acre increasingly passed into the hands of the Temple, the Hospital and the Italians after a commune had been created in 1232 to defy the vestiges of royal authority. Trade flourished. It was organized through the cour de la chaine, which dealt with seaborne trade, and the cour de la fonde, responsible for the market. The latter comprised two Franks and four Syrians, who were increasingly important. The topography of the city on the eve of its fall in 1291 is known through a map left by Marino Sanudo.

M. Angold